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Editor's note: A clarification of how the meal program is funded was added to this story.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — With new school meal rules handed down from Michelle Obama and the Uni ted State Department of Agriculture, schools across the country are eyeing their menus to see if they comply.
But Lake Tahoe Unified District has no need to worry, said Food Manager Shelley Giannotta. Its menu is healthy, delicious and sustainable.
“I'm proud to say we've continually improved our food,” Giannotta said.
The new USDA rules are meant to en sure students are served healthy food at schools.
They include offering fruits and vegetables every day, increasing the amount of whole-grain foods, only serving low-fat or fat-free milk varieties, ensuring proper portion size and increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fats, trans fat and sodium.
Lake Tahoe Unified, along with other California school districts, has had to abide by stricter state regulations than the national requirements.
LTUSD does not serve any foods with trans fat and they do not serve any deep-fried foods, including all potato products. Breads, buns, grain items and pizza products are at least 51 percent whole grain.
The district serves brown rice and whole wheat pastas.
“I think because California has stricter standards, we're kind of ahead of the game,” Giannotta said.
LTUSD schools have menus full of items like homemade hummus, sub sandwiches, vegetable soups, fruits and vegetables.
Even the corn dogs have become healthier. They're now whole-wheat turkey dogs that are baked rather than fried, Giannotta said.
“We do good meals,” she said. “They're not the meals we grew up with. But I will say that some meals are better than others. It all goes back to the budget.”
Lake Tahoe Unified's school meal program does not use dollars from LTUSD's general fund. The program, funded primarily by a state food service fund and federal meal reimbursement dollars, actually adds money to the general fund. The money generated from the sales of more than 1,800 lunches and 700 breakfasts each day sustains the kitchen.
With the new student union and kitchen coming to South Tahoe High School next year, the food is only going to get better, Giannotta said.
“We're really going to kick it up a notch,” she said.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — With new school meal rules handed down from Michelle Obama and the Uni ted State Department of Agriculture, schools across the country are eyeing their menus to see if they comply.
But Lake Tahoe Unified District has no need to worry, said Food Manager Shelley Giannotta. Its menu is healthy, delicious and sustainable.
“I'm proud to say we've continually improved our food,” Giannotta said.
The new USDA rules are meant to en sure students are served healthy food at schools.
They include offering fruits and vegetables every day, increasing the amount of whole-grain foods, only serving low-fat or fat-free milk varieties, ensuring proper portion size and increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fats, trans fat and sodium.
Lake Tahoe Unified, along with other California school districts, has had to abide by stricter state regulations than the national requirements.
LTUSD does not serve any foods with trans fat and they do not serve any deep-fried foods, including all potato products. Breads, buns, grain items and pizza products are at least 51 percent whole grain.
The district serves brown rice and whole wheat pastas.
“I think because California has stricter standards, we're kind of ahead of the game,” Giannotta said.
LTUSD schools have menus full of items like homemade hummus, sub sandwiches, vegetable soups, fruits and vegetables.
Even the corn dogs have become healthier. They're now whole-wheat turkey dogs that are baked rather than fried, Giannotta said.
“We do good meals,” she said. “They're not the meals we grew up with. But I will say that some meals are better than others. It all goes back to the budget.”
Lake Tahoe Unified's school meal program does not use dollars from LTUSD's general fund. The program, funded primarily by a state food service fund and federal meal reimbursement dollars, actually adds money to the general fund. The money generated from the sales of more than 1,800 lunches and 700 breakfasts each day sustains the kitchen.
With the new student union and kitchen coming to South Tahoe High School next year, the food is only going to get better, Giannotta said.
“We're really going to kick it up a notch,” she said.
St. Theresa School to hold annual crab dinner Friday
St. Theresa School will hold their annual crab dinner fundraiser at Grace Hall Friday. A silent and live auction will also take place.The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the school.
Tickets are $50 per person and are available at 1081 Lyons Avenue. A table for 10 may be reserved for an additional $100.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cash-only bar. Dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Sierra Lutheran High School celebrates first homecoming
Sierra Lutheran High School in Carson Valley celebrated its first homecoming in the school's 10-year history this month.Among the homecoming royalty was freshman princess and Zephyr Cove resident Cali Benton.
Sierra Lutheran High School is a faith-based high school in Gardnerville. It was founded in 2002.
For Lake Tahoe students, BlueGo bus service provides daily transportation.
